August 15, 2012

Politico’s “Playbook,” reports that Rory Cooper has been named Communications Director for House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA), starting September 10.

Cooper is currently Communications Director at the Heritage Foundation. He began his career at the Republican Governors Association and the National Republican Campaign Committee.

In 2011 Cooper was named a “Rising Star” by Campaign and Elections Magazine, an honor given to "a select group of operatives age 35 and under who have an established track record of achievement in political consulting or advocacy and the promise to achieve greatness."

Before joining Heritage in 2008 as Director of Strategic Communications, Cooper served for more than seven years in the administration of George W. Bush, completing his service as a senior policy adviser at the U.S. Department of Energy.

Between 2001 and 2004, Cooper was an aide in the Bush White House, first as associate director of policy and plans in the newly formed Office of Homeland Security, then as associate director of intergovernmental affairs for the Homeland Security Council.

In the wake of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, Cooper was instrumental in formation of the Department of Homeland Security and production of the first National Strategy for Homeland Security. His initial administration post was as deputy White House liaison to Housing and Urban Development Secretary Mel Martinez.

Cooper also served at NASA as the first director of the space agency's newly created Division of Outreach and Intergovernmental Affairs, following an assignment with the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Commission.

Cooper holds a bachelor's degree in international relations and political science from Tulane University in New Orleans, La. He originally hails from Franklin, Mich., outside Detroit. (Politico’s “Playbook”)

About the Authors

Matt Mackowiak - Site Manager
Matt Mackowiak is a Washington, D.C. and Austin,TX-based Republican strategist and communications consultant and President of Potomac Strategy Group, LLC. In his career he has managed a winning Congressional campaign and worked in the U.S. Senate, at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, at a leading international PR firm, on a presidential campaign in Iowa and in White House presidential advance.
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Laura Gross - Contributor
Laura Gross is currently president of Scott Circle Communications. She has served as deputy director of communications at the DNC, was Gov. Howard Dean's Communications Director and she worked in the press office at USAID during the Clinton administration. Her experience also includes time in the PR department of National Public Radio and she was part of Vice President Gore's advance team when he was in The White House. Follow her on Twitter: @ScottCircle

Blain K. Rethmeier - Contributor
Blain K. Rethmeier is currently the Senior Vice President for Public Affairs for the American Insurance Association (AIA). Rethmeier joined AIA from the White House where he served as Special Assistant to the President for Communications and directed communications for the National Economic Council and Homeland Security Council. Prior to joining the White House, Rethmeier served as Press Secretary for the Senate Judiciary Committee. Follow him on Twitter: @BlainR

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